http://www.freep.com/money/business/...e_20041224.htm

Interesting read....

 

Well written, right on the money and impossible to argue with...a good read. Gotta love the Camaro mention too

 

It is an interesting read. Hopefully, GM remembers this warning. Personally, I think they do.
Its going to take time to turn around the company from some of the mistakes (or what we see as mistakes) from prior management. I think though that they right people are looking into this.
Look at the dedication GM still has to the small block V-8. The Gen IV's look to be excellent. Quality at GM is continually improving. I think they have realized what they need to do.

The 05 GTO looks lightyears better than the 04. The SSR gets an LS2 and M10 (six speed). The Grand Prix GXP will have a V-8. The Vette is getting better all of the time. The Cobalt is miles ahead of the Cavalier.

I am still waiting (although a bit impatiently) for a new Camaro.

Bottom line (at least as far as I see) is that GM still has that American soul. I see a bright future of American Performance.

(OK, GM prove me right. )

 

The prior era GM had no soul , the new era GM products with the exception of a few are not out yet . After the STS , G6 , Cobalt and soltice Im pretty confindent GM will not dissappoint all the new stuff not even seen yet. Too bad it takes years to turn everything around as Im sure the current GM would LOVE to say goodbye to alot the cars and trucks they sell at the moment . By goodbye I didnt mean discontinue , I meant re-design .

 

The little things like this are the reasons I still have faith... This name has far too much equity, in spite of what the "mullet-mobile" nay-sayers are spouting off...

Merry Christmas

 

seriously people. do you want a car with shark fins theses days? and we already have a roaring vette on the way. i'll stop there.

edit: i think as a whole, we're getting gready

 

That's the attitude that drives GM into the ground. I expect GM to make a class leading car at a competitive price. That's greedy? Well I'll go take my greedy self to a brand that will provide what I want. A lot of companies can do it....GM seems satisfied to offer bottom of the barrel offerings at a close out price. If it's greedy to want GM to be a bit better than the Big Lots of auto sales, then call me greedy.

 

Isn't it surprising that the domestic cars that are selling well without rebates and are getting the most positive reviews in the press and praise from the general public are the ones that are the most American, but also competitive within their class?

For Example:

Corvette.
Magnum.
300.
Mustang.
F150.

 

Wow, I must say i was definitely impressed with the article. I'm very optimistic when it comes to the new GM products in the pipeline, and am still "keeping the faith."

Although someone else already quoted:

"But they must never, in their zeal for global expansion, lose sight of the fact that the heart and soul of this company is American, from the swooping fins of bygone Cadillacs to roar of Corvette engines and the squeal of Camaro tires."

I think this speaks more volumes than you might think. In the past, one of the slogans for selling cars was "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday." I think GM might have lost sight of this attitude. By this, I don’t mean they are not involved in motor sports, but I think they might have forgotten, or overlooked the cars that used to be "awe inspiring," cars that people drooled over, these cars spoke for themselves and oozed attitude, style, and character so to speak. Obviously we, as enthusiasts make up a small percentage of the car market, but it is because of us that GM, Ford, and Chrysler sold so many cars. People who weren't enthusiasts back in the day knew of and bought GM cars because they were "cool." Even the mundane cars of the period sold well because of the connotations attached the Chevy, Pontiac, Ford, etc.. name plates. All though the market might have changed, this same mind set remains. GM needs to get out there and "win on Sunday" for a turn around to occur, and I’m damn sure they can do it.

 

Great point.

 

good post, i agree

 

When it comes down to it, people want cars that are quiet, reliable, quality materials and build quality in and out. Hence why the Camry does so well.

GM's done a good amount in closing the gap, but they need to go the extra mile and erasing the gap.. and then hope consumer perceptions would change..... and thats where marketing comes in..

Its just taking so long for the rest of the GM fleet.. We'll see in a few years, when GM's near future cars are finally out... which may coincide when Toyota may eclipse GM in global sales!

And GM is lobbying for national healthcare.. (which I personally don't like the idea)